Log splitting gun



Jully 3, 1934. E CRUME 1,965,136

LOG srmmme GUN Filed Dec. 12, 1935 Fatented July 3, I934 1,965,136 LOG SPLITTING GUN Quincy Elmer Crume, McMinnville, Oreg. Application December 12, 1933, Serial No. 702,056

2 Claims.

This invention relates to. the broad. class of tools and wedges used for splitting logs and the like and it has more particular reference to the type of wedge now generally referred to in the .5 trade and art as a gun.

The most common type of log splitting gun now used in the industry comprises a longitudinally elongated cylindrical body having an axial bore functioning as a barrel. The log penetrating end of the barrel is generally tapered to facilitate driving the gun into the log. At the inner end of the charge receiving bore is a laterally disposed orifice or port which serves in one instance as a vent and in the other instance as a means for introducing the charge igniting fuse.

These simple and economical types of log splitting guns are endorsed by the trade and, I am informed, widely used. It has been discovered, however, that the side port or vent which 29' serves to accommodate the fuse is subject to early damage and after a relatively short time the degree of damage is such as to render the gun substantially useless unless frequently repaired.

Confronted with these problems, I have discovered the need for certain structural features of refinement and improvement which, when adopted and used, will greatly prolong the use of the gun.

One feature of the invention is predicated upon 39 the adoption and use of a detachable impact or hammer receptive head, this being renewable whenever occasion requires.

A further feature and predominating advantage is predicated upon the adoption and use of a quick renewable detachable firing pin expressly made to accommodate the fuse and to serve as a shock absorber due to its venting facilities.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a view in section and elevation illustrating a log splitting gun as constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view of the so renewable fuse plug or firing pin as it is hereinafter designated.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference characters, it will be observed that the numeral 4 designates the body of the gun which is here shown as of cylindrical form, the

same being formed at the left hand end with a. tapered penetrating point 5 sometimes referred to as the muzzle. The body is formed with a longitudinal bore 6 which defines a pocket for. reception of the powder charge and which converts the body 4 into a part generally described in the trade as the barrel. At the right hand end the solid portion 7 serves as the stock and this is formed with a central screw-threaded shank 8 for reception in the screw-threaded socket formed in one end of the detachable impact head 9. This part 9 is removable and renewable since it is subjected to considerable wear from the blows of the sledge hammer used in driving the wedge or gun into the work. The features 8 and 9 constitute one improvement.

A second improvement is predicated upon the tapered formation of the bore 6, it being noted that this is large at the discharge end and gradually decreased in diameter toward the inner or firing pin end. This facilitates loading and concentrates the explosion at the inner end to render the force of the explosive action more powerful.

In this form of gun, instead of having a plain orifice or fuse hole at the inner end of the bore 6, I improve the arrangement by first screw-threading said hole and fitting a plug-like firing tube 10 removably into the hole. This tube embodies a stem 11 of appropriate proportions screwthreaded intermediate its ends as indicated at 12 to permit it to be readily placed in position and held safely in place. At the outer end is a flange or head 13 which is formed into a tool or wrench nut. The tube is provided with an L- shaped bore or passage which is enlarged at the outer end as indicated at 14 to form-a fuse receptive socket. The right angularly disposed inner end 15 of the passage is also enlarged to provide a relief socket. The two sockets are joined together through the instrumentality of a restricted portion 16. As stated, the socket 14 facilitates insertion of the fuse and it will be observed that at the juncture of the features 14 and 16 the shoulder 17 functions as a pilot to facilitate projection of the fuse into the socket 15. The socket 15 is considerably larger in diameter than the fuse which is used. It is obvious that the passage in addition to accommodating the fuse also serves as a. vent to relieve the force of the explosion and in this sense the socket 15 serves as an expansion pocket.

By using a detachable renewable firing tube it is obvious that after the same becomes unduly worn it can be removed and a new pin substituted.

PATENT OFFICE (iii It is obvious to, those skilled in the art that the gun 4 is of sturdy proportions and its life is for an indefinite period of time. It seldom needs to be renewed. 'In the old type of gun, however,

Where the fuse passage becomes disrupted, it is sidering the description in connection with the drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrange-- ment of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired I claim:

1. A log splitting gun of the class described comprising a longitudinally bored barrel tapered at the log penetrating end, said barrel being formed at the inner end of said bore with a screwthreaded laterally directed fuse hole, and a pluglike firing tube embodying a stem having a screwthreaded portion tapped into said screw-threaded hole, the outer end of the stem being formed with a tool receiving head, said tube having a substantially L-shaped passage enlarged at opposite ends to form sockets and restricted intermediate its ends to accommodate the fuse, the inner socket constituting an expansion pocket and the outer socket a means to facilitate expeditious introduction of the fuse.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a firing tube for a log splitting gun of the class described comprising a stem screw-threaded intermediate its ends and formed at its outer end with a tool receiving head, said stem being provided with a substantially L-shaped passage, the laterally directed inner end portion of the passage being enlarged to provide an expansion socket, the outer end being enlarged to providea fuse introduction socket and the-intermediate portion restricted in diameter to: aiford communication between the two sockets, that portion constituting the juncture between the outer socket and the restricted portion being tapered to serve as a pilot to facilitate insertion of the fuse.

QUINCY ELMER CRUME. 

